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2003: Vol.
2, Numbers 1-12Read
past articles including:Series
on Leadership continued
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free SocietyArt
and Politics Living
the Good LifeTeaching
Teens World
Peace in Less Than a Month?

Introduction
to the book World Diplomacy

There
exist today two main trends in the world which are
going in opposite directions. These contradictory trends
are not new, but because of the nature of current technology
they present both immanent hope and pressing fear in
people's psychology. On one hand is an urge for unity,
tolerance, understanding, and cooperation that is greater
than ever before in the history of humanity. On the
other is an increase of factionalism, fanaticism, selfishness,
and disregard for life. These contradictions are a
real source of confusion for people, since they present
different value systems for human behavior, and different
consequences for the survival of the planet.

In
the field of international relations, where global concerns
are encompassing every field of life, diplomacy must
become a force which meets the current human need, and
gives hope to humanity. It must reflect the new, wholistic
ways of thinking which are emerging in every concern
- from health to education, to environment, to economics.
It must provide leadership and values which inspire governments
and populations to serve the common cause of a happier,
healthier, more prosperous, more unified, and more responsible
global community. Diplomacy must orient politics to serve
and promote life on a global scale, consistent with the
ageless ethical standards of human civilizations.

Humanity is in a state of fear and confusion because
governments are not providing a direction or a sense
of purpose. Rather, they appear to be perpetuating
and serving the underlying contradictions of current
affairs by creating both hope and despair, and by perpetuating
a general atmosphere of tension, conflict, and uncertainty.
In such a state, people can not be free and constructive
elements in society, regardless of the political or
economic system under which they live. Without goal
or purpose people live from day to day and from problem
to problem, selfishly concerned with their own material
existence.

Because technology is redefining man's awareness of
community, and because it has the potential to amplify
the consequences of decisions for the benefit or detriment
of basic survival and progress, it is necessary to
set higher standards for the role of leadership in
the world. The leader of the future must be adept at
diplomacy. Diplomacy must be redefined to meet current
realities, and to eliminate the opposing forces both
in world politics and in the motivations of those who
would consider themselves "leaders." The
purpose, therefore, of this book is to examine new
goals for world diplomacy in a new world order, and
to investigate the underlying principles which can
shape its methods and potential as a saving force for
our planet.